It was a tragic night for the McCann family when their daughter Kiea, 17, and her best friend Dlava, 16, lost their lives in a devastating crash on their way to the debs ball in Monaghan in 2023. The two teenagers were accompanied by Dlava’s sister, Avin, who suffered life-altering injuries in the accident. The driver, Anthony McGinn, 61, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and serious injury. He was speeding at 151km/h in an 80km/h zone when his car collided with a tree near Legnakelly on July 31st, 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of the two young lives and the injuries sustained by Avin.
**A Heartbreaking Night**
Frankie and Teresa McCann shared their harrowing experience on RTÉ’s Prime Time, recounting the night of the crash when they rushed to the scene to find their daughter and her friend in critical condition. Mr. McCann vividly described the desperate attempt to save the girls, moving from one to the other in a heart-wrenching effort to revive them. He recalled the agonizing moment when they realized their efforts were in vain and he had to give the girls the last rites, hoping they knew they were loved in their final moments. The emotional toll of the tragedy was evident as Mr. McCann admitted to struggling to come to terms with his daughter’s death, even sharing his own battle with thoughts of self-harm.
**A Long Road to Justice?**
The McCanns expressed their dismay at the length of the sentence handed down to Mr. McGinn, a longtime family friend whose reckless actions led to the loss of two young lives. They believed that seven years in prison was insufficient punishment for the devastation he caused. In court, it was revealed that Mr. McGinn had ignored the pleas of the terrified passengers in his car, including Avin and another passenger, Oisín Clerkin, who suffered less severe injuries. The McCanns felt that Mr. McGinn should have received a harsher sentence, given his blatant disregard for the safety of his passengers. The grief and anger felt by the McCann family were palpable as they grappled with the aftermath of the tragic accident, struggling to find closure in the face of such a senseless loss.
Well, I’m not really sure why this matters, but the McCanns’ heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of reckless driving. The pain and grief they continue to endure highlight the need for stricter consequences for those who endanger the lives of others through their irresponsible actions. As they navigate their grief and seek justice for their daughter and her friend, the McCanns’ story stands as a poignant tribute to the precious lives lost and the enduring love that remains in the wake of tragedy.
